More proactive human rights training needed for PSNI

A more proactive approach towards effective community involvement in the delivery of human rights training to the PSNI is needed, it was claimed today.

This is according to a report by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission into the application of human rights training to PSNI officers.

The 'Course for All' report, the fourth in a series by the Commission, examines a course on the new constitutional arrangements post-Patten delivered by the PSNI in 2002 and 2003.

It recommended that that:

• Human rights and the significance of the Human Rights Act 1998 need to become fully integrated to police training and affect attitudes and values so as to be effective.
• Training materials need to address complex issues such as sectarianism.
• The contribution of the community and of organisations with an interest in police training to the design and development of training strategies and initiatives should be prioritised.
• Trainers themselves need to receive continuous human rights training and the pool of trainers needs to be expanded to include trainers from outside the PSNI.
• Training should be subject to independent monitoring and evaluation.

Mary O’Rawe, the main author of the report, said: “This course highlights the need for a more proactive approach towards real and effective community involvement in the design and delivery of training to PSNI personnel.

"Such a process could help build important partnerships and ensure a more holistic approach to the integration of a human rights culture throughout the organisation.”

The PSNI recently authorised the Commission to compile a fifth and final report on human rights training, this time for trainee constables. That report will be published later this year.

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